Welcome to The Master’s Tax & Financial Services
Our website is an information resource designed to help you learn more about personal finance. We believe that good financial decisions don’t have to be confusing. Our hope is that this website will assist you in learning more about tax issues, investing, retirement, insurance, preparing financially for college, estate planning, and wealth preservation.
As in other areas of life, each of us will be more successful in our financial matters if we hold to a clear objective and make decisions in alignment with our objective. Janelle and Richard are prepared to assist you to:
- Clarify and define your goals
- Identify solutions that fit your needs
- File complete and accurate tax returns taking your best elections
- Plan for future tax events in order to minimize taxes
- Understand how changing financial conditions affect you
- Track your financial progress
- Make investment planning easier (Richard)
Through years of disciplined saving Richard was able to retire from his engineering work early in 2013 at the age of 58. Retirement not only allows more time for grandchildren, but more time for this business. Whatever your future financial goals are - retirement, helping fund college for children or grandchildren, or others - Richard is prepared to help.
No one likes to see a letter from the IRS or state tax or revenue authority, but both Janelle and Richard have taken advanced course work on helping people work through these situations. Both are licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS.
We are open year-round. During the summer we are often out for a week or so for specialized Continuing Professional Education (CPE) or vacation with grandchildren. But we stay in touch and can help you address your concerns.
Please browse our site. It will not only introduce you to our company philosophy and services, but it will also offer a wealth of educational materials, articles, newsletters, calculators, and other tools — all designed to keep you up-to-date on financial issues, strategies, and trends. This educational material is updated frequently.
Helpful Content
Prescription Drug Benefits Under Medicare (Part D)
Do you need to enroll in Medicare Part D? Read this article to learn more about whether you need this coverage
When Heirs are Imperfect
The money problems or bad lifestyle habits of adult children could lead to the squandering of any inheritance they receive.
When Life Insurance Becomes Taxable
Life insurance proceeds are generally tax-free. But not in all cases.
Social Security: The Elephant in the Room
Some people wonder if Social Security will remain financially sound enough to pay the benefits they are owed.
Putting a Price Tag On Your Health
Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may also help you financially.
Yours, Mine, and Ours: Estate Strategies for Second Marriage
Second marriages are a trigger event to revisit any existing estate strategies.
Can I Create a Roth if I’m Over the Income Limit?
Use this article to start conversations about the “backdoor” Roth IRA strategy.
White Elephant Inheritance
This article deals with how one might deal with a burdensome inheritance.
Can Group, Private Disability Policies Work Together?
Loss of income from disability has the potential to cause financial hardship. Disability insurance can help.
View all articles 
Monthly Budget
Track your monthly income and expenses to get a clearer view of your cash flow.
Lifetime of Earnings
Estimate how much you may earn over your working years based on your current income.
Should I Buy or Lease an Auto?
Compare the true costs of buying versus leasing a vehicle to find the better fit for you.
Comparing Investments
Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.
Simple 401k
See how increasing your 401(k) contributions today could affect your balance at retirement.
The Power of 401k Catch-Ups
See how catch-up contributions after age 50 could significantly boost your retirement balance.
View all calculators
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
The Wild West of Data Theft
Learn about cyber liability insurance in this entertaining video.
Retirement and Quality of Life
Asking the right questions about how you can save money for retirement without sacrificing your quality of life.
The Other Sure Thing
A new LIMRA study shows that 40% of Americans believe the death of a primary wage earner would cause financial challenges.
Estate Management 101
A will may be only one of the documents you need—and one factor to consider—when it comes to managing your estate.
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall St., the stock market has a long and storied history.